Earthquake science in DRR policy and practice in Nepal.

Abstract

Nepal is a geologically active country with a long history of destructive earthquakes – most recently in the 2015 Gorkha earthquake sequence. There have been substantial advances in the scientic understanding of earthquake hazard in Nepal, but it is not clear how that understanding has informed, or could inform, national and international investment in earthquake disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities, and to what effect. This paper aims to understand the role that earthquake science plays in DRR policy and practice in Nepal by seeking answers to the following: What earthquake science is used by DRR stakeholders in Nepal, and for what purpose? To what extent is earthquake DRR policy and practice in line with current scientific knowledge? Where and how is scientific knowledge seen as particularly useful for policy and practice, and where is it seen to be less useful and why? What are the drivers of and constraints on the production and use of earthquake science? Are there opportunities to better produce or broker scientific knowledge for policy and practice? What effects could better use of earthquake science deliver, and to whom? This working paper is written for anyone with an interest in earthquake DRR in Nepal, in particular scientists who generate earthquake science and practitioners and policy-makers who could use it.